Balancing system for treadmill

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a left and right balancing system for a treadmill may comprise two detection devices respectively installed at a left and right side of the treadmill, detecting strengths of vibrations respectively at the left and right side of the treadmill when a user exercises on the treadmill, generating detection strength signals according to the detected strengths, and transferring the generated detection strength signals to the user, and a notification device receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices and indicating the user&#39;s left and right balance state.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a balancing system for a treadmill, and more specifically to, a left and right balancing system for a treadmill detecting vibration while a user exercises on the treadmill and indicating whether the user is at an unbalanced position.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Recently, treadmills for people to walk or run on have become increasingly popular. The principal advantage for treadmills is that it is handy for indoor physical exercise. The typical treadmill comprises a continuous belt, or tread, which is wrapped around a pair of rollers and driven by a motor. The treadmill user may walk or run on the belt at a rate which matches the belt speed to remain stationary relative to the device. The treadmill permits the user to simulate walking or running in an indoor environment.

The conventional treadmill can easily record movement distance through integrated electronic equipment and control systems, time spent, calories burned and other sports data, and in order to be more scientific, safe exercise, also introduced heart rate (HR) test methods, in order to achieve movement and shows the movement of the current heart rate, achieve the purpose of the control of exercise intensity.

However, the convention treadmill fails to allow a user to recognize whether he is at a balanced position during exercise.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a left and right balancing system for a treadmill may compose two detection devices respectively installed at a left and right side of the treadmill, detecting strengths of vibrations respectively at the left and right side of the treadmill when a user exercises on the treadmill, generating detection strength signals according to the detected strengths, and transferring the generated detection strength signals to the user, and a notification device receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices and indicating the user's left and right balance state.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device may include a controlled receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices, comparing the detection strength signals with each other, and transmitting balance state information according to a result of the comparison and a notifying unit receiving the balance state information from the controller and indicating the user's left and right balance state.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device may further include a communication unit receiving the balance state information from the controller, converting the balance state information into balance state transmission information, and transmitting the balance state transmission information to a mobile communication terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit may receive a driving control signal from the mobile communication terminal and transmits the driving control signal to the controller.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection strength signals may include a left detection strength signal and a right detection strength signal. The controller transmits in-balance information to the notifying unit when a difference between the left detection strength signal and the right detection strength signal is within a predetermined error range and transmits out-of-balance information to the notifying unit when the difference value is not within the predetermined error range.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit may include a speaker receiving the balance state information from the controller, converting the received balance state information into a voice output signal, and outputting the voice output signal in a voice.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit includes a display receiving the balance state information from the controller, convening the received balance state information into a screen output signal, and outputting the screen output signal on a screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device further includes a measuring device receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices and measuring the user's exercise state using amplitudes and wavelengths of the detect strength signals.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring device may measure the user's exercise state using a period and wavelength of at least one of the detection strength signals.

According to an embodiment of present disclosure, the detection devices may compare the user's running velocity with a velocity of a treadmill belt of the treadmill to automatically control the velocity of the treadmill belt to be consistent with the user's running velocity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant aspects thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a view illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a notification device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an attaching member in FIG. 5.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept, however, may be modified in various different ways, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “adjacent to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, coupled, or adjacent to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. The same or similar reference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the specification and the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a balancing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of applying a balancing system to a treadmill according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the left and right balancing system 10 for treadmills may include two detection devices 100 and a notification device 200.

The detection devices 100 may be mounted on a left and right side, respectively, of the treadmill. When a user exercises, the detection devices 100 may detect the strength of vibrations at the left and right side of the treadmill and generate detection strength signals according to the detected strength and transfer the detection strength signals to the notification device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection devices 100, respectively, may be provided at a left and right side of the belt of the treadmill. For example, the detection devices 100, respectively, may be positioned at the left and right sides on a lower portion of the belt of the treadmill. The detection devices 100 may detect vibrations that occur when the user does exercise, such as walking or running.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection devices 100 may include, e.g., vibration sensors, which may detect vibration by a mechanical structure or moving object. The detection devices 100 may sense an impact applied thereto to detect the vibration. The detection devices 100 may include other various types of sensors. For example, the type of a sensor that may be used in the detection devices 100 may be determined according to a vibration source or frequency. The vibration sensors may sense vibration in a piezoelectric acceleration scheme appropriate for a rapid vibration or a cantilever vibration scheme appropriate for a slow or weak vibration.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection devices 100 may detect a vibration generated by the left foot of the user exercising on the treadmill to generate a left detection strength signal and detect a vibration generated by the right foot of the user exercising on the treadmill to generate a right detection strength signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection device 100 may compare the user's running velocity with a velocity of the treadmill belt and automatically control the velocity of the treadmill belt velocity so that the user's running velocity is consistent with the velocity of the treadmill belt.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the detection devices 100, when the treadmill belt's velocity is larger than the user's running velocity, may automatically reduce the treadmill belt's velocity to allow the user to exercise comfortable and to prevent an accident or injury.

The notification device 200 may receive a detection strength signal from the detection device 100 and inform the user of the user's state, as to, e.g., whether the user is balanced or not in the left and right directions.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may receive a left detection strength signal and right detection strength signal from the detection devices 100 and compare the left detection strength signal with the right detection strength signal to determine that the user is exercising in an unbalanced position where the user is positioned closer to one of the left and right side strength which presents a higher strength of detection strength signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the notification device 200 may receive a left detection strength signal with a strength of 50 dB and a right detection strength signal with a strength of 80 dB, the notification device 200 may determine that the strength of the right detection strength signal is greater than the strength of the left detection strength signal and may thus determine that the user is exercising unbalanced more to the right side, and the notification device 200 may inform the user of the determined result.

The left and right balancing system 10 having the above-described configuration may be implemented to detect a vibration of the user exercising on a treadmill having the detection devices 100 installed thereon, inform the user of the user's state of being balanced or not to the left and right through the notification device 200 to allow the user to do exercise at a balanced position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a notification device as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the notification device 200 may include a controller 210 and a notifying unit 220.

The controller 210 may receive detection strength signals from the detection devices 100 and compare the detection strength signals, and the controller 210 may transmit balance state information according to a compared result to the notifying unit 220.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a difference in value between a left and right detection strength signal belongs to a predetermined error range, the controller 210 may transmit in-balance information to the notifying unit 220. When the difference in value between the left and right detection strength signal does not belong to the predetermined error range, the controller 210 may transmit out-of-balance information to the notifying unit 220.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 210 may determine the error range as ±5 dB, and when receiving a left detection strength signal with a strength of 50 dB and a right detection strength signal with a strength of 80 dB, and thus, the difference in value between the left detection strength signal and right detection strength signal is −30 dB, the controller 210 may determine that the difference in value between the left detection strength signal and right detection strength signal is not within the error range and may transmit the out-of-balance information to the notifying unit 220. When the controller 210 receives a left detection strength signal with a strength of 50 dB and a right detection strength signal with a strength of 55 dB of which the difference is −5 (dB), the controller 210 may determine that the difference in value between the left detection strength signal and right detection strength signal is within the error range and may transmit the in-balance information to the notifying unit 220.

The notifying unit 220 may receive the balance state information from the controller 210 and inform the user that the user is in balance.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may be a speaker that receives the balance state information from the controller 210, converts the balance state information into a voice output signal, and outputs the voice output signal in voice.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may be a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor or tablet PC) that which receives the balance state information, converts the balance state information into a screen output signal, and outputs the screen output signal to a screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may receive the in-balance information from the controller 210, output the received in-balance information in a screen signal, and display text saying, e.g., “Balanced to the left and right,” or an alert, e.g. a green light indication, on the screen to indicate that the user is in exercise at a balanced position to the left and right.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may receive the in-balance information from the controller 210, output the received in-balance information in a voice signal, and output a voice speaking, e.g., “Balanced to the left and right” through the speaker to indicate that the user is doing exercise while balanced to the left and right.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may receive the out-of-balance information from the controller 210, output the received out-of-balance information in a screen signal, and display text, saying, e.g., “(Left foot) unbalanced to the left” or “(Right foot) unbalance to the right” on the screen or an alert, e.g., a red light alert on a left or right side of the screen to indicate that the user is in exercise while unbalanced to the left and right.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may receive the out-of-balance information from the controller 210, output the received out-of-balance information in a voice signal, and output a voice, e.g., “(Left foot) unbalanced to the left” or “(Right foot) unbalanced to the right” through the speaker to indicate that the user is in exercise while unbalanced to the left and right.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying unit 220 may receive exercise state information from a measuring device (not shown), convert the received exercise state information into a voice or screen signal, and notify the user of his state of exercise through the speaker or display.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may store data and a program necessary for the controller 210.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may store a value for measuring an error range previously determined by the controller 210.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may further include a communication unit 230.

The communication unit 230 may receive the balance state information from the controller 210, convert the balance state information into a balance state transmission signal, and transmit the balance state transmission signal to a mobile terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 230 may receive the in-balance information, convert the in-balance information into an in-balance transmission signal, and transmit the in-balance information signal to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may receive the in-balance transmission signal from the communication unit 230 and display text (e.g., “Balanced to the left and right”) corresponding to the in-balance transmission signal on the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 230 may receive the out-of-balance information from the controller 210, convert the out-of-balance information into an out-of-balance transmission signal, and transmit the out-of-balance transmission signal to the mobile terminal. Here, the mobile terminal may receive the out-of-balance transmission signal from the communication unit 230 and display text, e.g., “(Left foot) unbalance to the let” or “(Right foot) unbalanced to the right” corresponding to the out-of-balance transmission signal on the screen.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 230 may receive a driving control signal and transmit the received drive control signal to the controller 210.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user inputs his/her age or gender through an input means, such as a keypad or touchscreen, the mobile terminal may convert the inputted information into a driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the communication unit 230.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may further include a measuring device (not shown).

The measuring device may receive a detection strength signal from the detection device 100 and measure the user's exercise state using strength the amplitude and wavelength of the detection strength signal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring device may measure the user's exercise state (e.g., fast walking, fast running, slow walking, or slow running) using a period and wavelength of the detection strength signal. For example, the user's exercise state may be measured or determined using the wavelength of the detection strength signal during one period and a time corresponding to one period.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the period relative to the wavelength is relatively long, the measuring device may determine that the user is walking. When the period relative to the wavelength is relatively short, the measuring device may determine that the user is running.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring device may determine or measure the user's exercise state, such as doing hard exercise or light exercise, using an amplitude relative to the wavelength of one period.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring device may store the determined or measured exercise state as exercise state information and transmit the stored exercise state information to the notifying unit 220.

The notification device 200 having the above-described configuration may transmit a driving control signal from a mobile communication terminal to the communication unit 230. The communication unit 230 receives the driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the controller 210. The controller 210 may receive the driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the treadmill, and a control device of the treadmill receives the drive control signal and drives an exercise program, routine, workout, or session corresponding to the driving control signal. For example, the notification device 200 may transmit a driving control signal corresponding to information on the user's age or gender, e.g., the information that the user is a 30 years old male, received from the mobile communication terminal to the communication unit 230, and the communication unit 230 may receive the driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the controller 210. The controller 210 may receive the driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the treadmill so that the control device of the treadmill receives the drive control signal and drives an exercise session corresponding to the information on the user's age (e.g., 30 years old) and gender (e.g., male).

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the left and right balancing system 10 for treadmills may include two detection devices 100, a notification device 200, and two pairs of auxiliary detection devices 300. The detection devices 100 and the notification device 200 may be substantially the same as those described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3.

The auxiliary detection devices 300, along with the detection devices 100, may be fixedly installed on an upper portion of the treadmill.

Each pair of auxiliary detection devices 300 may be fixedly installed at the left and right side, respectively, of each detection device 100 to detect strength the strength of vibrations occurring when the user exercises, generate an imbalance detection strength signal, and transmit the imbalance detection strength signal to the notification device 200. For example, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may sense vibration generated as the user's feet are unbalanced to the left or right.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may include, e.g., vibration sensors, which may detect vibration by a mechanical structure or moving object. The auxiliary detection devices 300 may sense an impact applied thereto to detect the vibration. The auxiliary detection devices 300 may include other various types of sensors. For example, the type of a sensor that may be used in the auxiliary detection devices 300 may be determined according to a vibration source or frequency. The vibration sensors may sense vibration in a piezoelectric acceleration scheme appropriate for a rapid vibration or a cantilever vibration scheme appropriate for a slow or weak vibration.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may detect a vibration generated by the left or right foot of the user exercising on the treadmill. When the vibration detected by the auxiliary detection devices 300 is greater than a vibration strength detected by the detection device 100, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate a left imbalance detection strength signal or a right imbalance detection strength signal. For example, when the user's left foot or right foot is unbalanced to the left, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate the left imbalance detection strength signal and transmit the generated left imbalance detection strength signal to the notification device 200. When the user's left foot or right foot is unbalanced to the right, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate the right imbalance detection strength signal and transmit the generated right imbalance detection strength signal to the notification device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may include a sensor detecting the position of the user's foot, such as an infrared (IR) light sensor or laser sensor, and may be fixedly mounted at a left side and right side, respectively, of the detection device 100. For example, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may detect infrared light according to an imbalance to the left or right of the user's foot when the user exercises.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may detect infrared light emitted out of the left or right foot of the user exercising on the treadmill and generate a left imbalance detection strength signal or a tight imbalance detection strength signal. For example, when the user's left foot or right foot is unbalanced to the left, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate the left imbalance detection strength signal and transmit the generated left imbalance detection strength signal to the notification device 200. When the left foot or right foot is unbalanced to the right, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate the right imbalance detection strength signal and transmit the generated right imbalance detection strength signal to the notification device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user's left and right foot both are unbalanced, the auxiliary detection devices 300 may generate both a left imbalance detection strength signal and right imbalance detection strength signal and transmit the generated signals to the notification device 200. For example, in such case, the left and right imbalance detection strength signal may be simultaneously generated and transferred to the notification device 200.

The notification device 200 may receive the imbalance detection strength signal from the auxiliary detection devices 300 and inform the user of his left and right balance state.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may receive the imbalance detection strength signal from the auxiliary detection devices 300, convert the received imbalance detection strength signal into a voice signal, and output the voice signal to a speaker.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notification device 200 may receive the imbalance detection strength signal from the auxiliary detection devices 300, convert the received imbalance detection strength signal into a screen signal, and display text, e.g., “Left foot unbalanced to the left,” or “light foot balanced to the right” on the screen according to the screen signal to indicate that the user is in exercise while unbalanced to the left or right.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a left and right balancing system for treadmills according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, the left and right balancing system for treadmills may include two detection devices 100 and a notification device 200, and two attaching members 400. The detection devices 100 and the notification device 200 may be substantially the same as those described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which only one detection device 100 and attaching member are provided for ease of description.

The attaching member 400 has one side fastened to the treadmill and another side having the detection device 100 installed thereon. The attaching member 400 may detachably connect the detection device 100 to the treadmill.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the attaching members 400, respectively, may be fastened to both sides of the treadmill.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the attaching member 400 may fixedly connect a detection device 100 and an auxiliary detection device 300 to another side of the treadmill.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the attaching member 400 may be attached or detached from a side of the treadmill, availing itself of conventional treadmills.

For example, the attaching member 400 may be a metal bracket or various other types of couplers, but without limited thereto.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an attaching member as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the attaching member 400 may include a body portion 410, and a fastener 420.

The body portion 410 may be shaped as a bracket, an angled U-shaped bracket. For example, the body portion 410 includes a first plate and second plates substantially perpendicular to the first plate and positioned in parallel with each other. The through hole may be formed in one of the second plates of the both portion 410. The detection device 100 may be placed on the upper one of the second plates of the body portion 410. The body portion 410 may be fitted and fastened over a side portion of the treadmill.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the through hole may be formed with a female screw along the inner surface thereof, and the fastener 420 may be formed with a male screen alone the outer surface thereof. For example, the fastener 420 ma be formed of a bolt, and the through hole may be formed of a nut.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastener 420 may be screwed or unscrewed from the through hole of the body portion 410 to couple or decouple the detection device 100 from the treadmill.

The fastener 420 may have a head and a screw portion that may be screwed in through the through hole to firmly hold the body portion 410 to the side of the treadmill as it is turned clockwise and screwed out from the through hole to release the body portion 410 from the treadmill as it is turned counterclockwise.

Although examples are described in which the balancing system is used to balance the user's position in the left and right directions, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the balancing system may also be used to balance the user's position in other directions during exercise.

While the inventive concept has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A left and right balancing system for a treadmill, comprising: two detection devices respectively installed at a left and right side of the treadmill, detecting strengths of vibrations respectively at the left and right side of the treadmill when a user exercises on the treadmill, generating detection strength signals according to the detected strengths, and transferring the generated detection strength signals to the user; and a notification device receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices and indicating the user's left and right balance state.
 2. The left and right balancing system of claim 1, wherein the notification device includes a controller receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices, comparing the detection strength signals with each other, and transmitting balance state information according to a result of the comparison and a notifying unit receiving the balance state information from the controller and indicating the user's left and right balance state.
 3. The left and right balancing system of claim 2, wherein the notification device further includes a communication unit receiving the balance state information from the controller, converting the balance state information into balance state transmission information, and transmitting the balance state transmission information to a mobile communication terminal.
 4. The left and right balancing system of claim 3, wherein the communication unit receives a driving control signal from the mobile communication terminal and transmits the driving control signal to the controller.
 5. The left and right balancing system of claim 2, wherein the detection strength signals include a left detection strength signal and a right detection strength signal, and wherein the controller transmits in-balance information to the notifying unit when a difference between the left detection strength signal and the right detection strength signal is within a predetermined error range and transmits out-of-balance information to the notifying unit when the difference value is not within the predetermined error range.
 6. The left and right balancing system of claim 2, wherein the notifying unit includes a speaker receiving the balance state information from the controller, converting the received balance state information into a voice output signal, and outputting the voice output signal in a voice.
 7. The left and right balancing system of claim 2, wherein the notifying unit includes a display receiving the balance state information from the controller, converting the received balance state information into a screen output signal, and outputting the screen output signal on a screen.
 8. The left and right balancing system of claim 2, wherein the notification device further includes a measuring device receiving the detection strength signals from the detection devices and measuring the user's exercise state using amplitudes and wavelengths of the detect strength signals.
 9. The left and right balancing system of claim 8, wherein the measuring device measures the user's exercise state using a period and wavelength of at least one of the detection strength signals.
 10. The left and right balancing system of claim 1, wherein the detection devices compare the user's running velocity with a velocity of a treadmill belt of the treadmill to automatically control the velocity of the treadmill belt to be consistent with the user's running velocity. 